Happy Birthday, Baby Girl!

Today is Khloe's birthday. Fourteen years ago she was in a huge hurry to get out and she hasn't slowed down since. When I asked if I could take her picture, she grabbed Joshua to pose with her.

Then she switched to something a little bit silly and much more true to her personality.

Zinnia Medallion

I recently finished this crochet project. The pattern is from the June 1949 issue of the Workbasket magazine. According to the pattern, the idea is to make a bunch of them to use as a table runner or bedspread.

I, however, am using it as part of a project from the Spring/Summer 1970 issue of McCall's Needlework and Craft magazine that I will share with you later - when it's finished. When I was cleaning after this latest basement flood I discovered that I have accumulated almost thirty skeins of fingering weight black acrylic yarn. I would have known this if it had all been in one place! The zinnia is made from some of that black yarn. I could, actually, make a bedspread with the stash I have...but I get a little bored making the same thing over and over again. You'll be seeing a lot of black projects, though! Yes, the doily is attached to a black embroidery hoop. It's not easy spray painting a hoop. My fingers were covered in paint from trying to hold it so all of the edges would get covered. I've started watching Farscape again, mostly because I love Zhaan so much.

She's a great character. She's very intelligent and spiritual and becomes the healer for everyone, including the ship, Moya. Her species is evolved from plants. It would be so cool to dress up as her for a sci-fi convention...if I could get the paint just right. Of course, I'm not nearly as peaceful as she is so I would break character quite often when dealing with long lines or missing ladies' rooms. That's all for today. Have a lovely Monday!

Wrapped in Pink

I finished another Simplicity 7705 this summer. I love this pattern. I still have some adjustments to make so it fits better but I'm not sure exactly what it needs to be perfect. Anyone want to come help? :) anyway, I had a bit of a hard time getting a picture that both showed the color of the dress and didn't wash me out. This dress is really pink. I've had this fabric for a long time - Kerry is 15 and I've had it longer than I've had him! I tried to match it to a pattern many, many times but subconsciously I was waiting for this one I guess. I had just enough yardage for the dress and pieced together lengths to make the extra long tie belt (inspired by the Halston documentary on Netflix that I can't get enough of). What do you think?

I thought I was smiling...maybe only my brain was! I'm really happy with this dress. It will be a bright pop of color this winter when the world is snowy and dreary.

Catching Up

I have a few finished projects to share with you today. First up is a great bag. The pattern is called the Professional Tote. I've had the pattern for a while now and finally decided to make it. All of the fabric and zippers came from my stash - all I had to buy was interfacing. I worked on it a little bit at a time so it was a long project to finish but I love it. Eric said it's the coolest thing I've made.

This is the front. It has a big pocket in between the straps - big enough for my Kindle. The side pockets are intended for water bottles. The slides keep the bottles from falling out.

This side zipper pocket is supposed to be for passports when traveling. There's another big pocket behind it.

Here's half of the inside - it's divided in the center with a big zippered section.

Here's the other inside half. In addition to the center section there are four side pockets. I can take loads of stuff with me when I go anywhere. It's a great bag. All of the fabrics are cottons so it's washable. Now I just need a place to go! Here's the latest bracelet:

The base is denim from an old pair of Eric's jeans. I sewed a piece of lace on the back so the edges peek out. I love the combination of wood and shell buttons together. It fastens with a piece of velcro and is quite comfortable. You know I've had a bit of bad luck lately - Curtise said it sounds like a country song, and she's right. I asked my Ravenclaw friends what I should do and they suggested burning some sage. One of them, Lauren, even gifted me this beautiful shell and stand

to put the burning sage in. Hopefully I'll be able to clear these nasty vibes from me soon. Tomorrow I'll be taking some pictures of a dress I finished while computerless. Tonight, kitty permitting, I'll be cutting out a new dress to sew. Wearing something pretty always boosts my spirits and when it's made by me the boost is even more. So, back soon!

Just A Quickie

I didn't want to leave you all hanging - it's been a bit since my last post. I did get the new computer up and running but my data is still at the shop on my old machine. We had another stroke of bad luck - the basement flooded again and many of the plastic tubs were knocked over and popped open. I have lots of cleaning up to do again and lost more yarn. The sump pump died today - just in time for more rain this coming weekend. But! I will leave on a high note - a recently completed bit of knitting

I'll have more pictures of it and some other finished projects soon.